Daniel f



- (NoModel.)

D. F. MAGGARTHY.

' SEAL.

NitrE` STATES ATENE ERICE.

DANIEL E. MACCARTHY, oE, sr. PAUL, MINNESOTA, Ass'IeNoR oE ONE-HALE To HARRY rr. DRAKE, oE sAME PLACE.

SEAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part 'of Lettere Patent No. 546,619, dated september' 17, '1895. Application tiled March 13, 1894. Serial No. 503.400. (No inodel.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DANIEL- F. MAOCAR- THY, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Seals, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the class of seals in which a self-connecting and non-withdrawable locking shank -or bolt is adapted to be inserted into a breakable block or seal and which can be released only by breaking the seal 5 and it consists in a lock-bolt formed of two connected legs having corelating and interlocking crimps or bends, and with the extremities of one or both of said legs projecting laterally, so that when said legs are pressed together or placed in juxtaposition the bends or crimps will interlock or underlap and enter and completely occupy an aperture in a breakable seal, the aperture being formed just large enough to receive the two legs, the aperture also having an .enlargement at its inner end to receive the lateral projections on the legs. By this means the legs with their crimps or bends, by completely filling the throat of the aperture in the breakable seal, will effectually prevent the insertion of any other object, While the corelating crimps or bends will eectually prevent the removal of either one of the legs without the other, while the lateral projections on one or both of the legs will eftectually prevent the removal of both of the legs together. Thus the removalof the shank or bar is rendered impossible without breaking the seal, which is the end sought to be accomplished in all breakable seals.

In the drawingsI have shown several modiiications in the construction, but all are substantially the same invtheir results and mode of operation.

Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation, and Fig. 2 a cross-sectional view of one of the breakable'seals, with one of the non-remov-l able lock bars or bolts therein. Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation, and Fig. 4 is a crosssectional elevation showing a slight modification in the manner of forming the two parts of the device. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the seals, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view-of one of the locking bars or bolts, disy connected, and in the form'used in thernoditication shown in Figs. 3 and'l. Fig. 7 is a view similar to Figs. l and 3, illustrating another modification in the construction.

A represents the seal7 or body' portion, formed of burnt clay, glass, terra-cotta, or some other suitable easily-breakable material, having a cavity b' formed in it lengthwise, the cavity having an enlarged inner end h2, forming lateral cavities, as shown.

The cavities in the different modifications are all substantially the same, and may be modified as to size and shape to suit the different conditions or circumstances under which they are used.

B is a wire bent into a loop and with two legs d d2 bent oft therefrom at an angle and formed into interlocking crimps or corrugations ds, as in Figs. l, 3, and 6, or bent backward upon themselves and thus made to interlock or underlap, as in Fig. 7.

One or both of the ends d4 d5 of the legs are bent oft laterally at an angle, as shown, so that when the two interlocking parts are placed together and forced into the cavity ZJ the lower portion will spring sidewise to a sufficient extent to permit the end d4 to enter the cavity b and then to spring into the enlargement bz and prevent the removal of the lock bar or bolt. The corrugations or bends in the legs d d2 will be of a size to just fill the cavity b and thus prevent the insertion of any form of instrument -to release the bolt.

The corrugations or bends effectually prevent the removal of either leg of the bolt and render it absolutely impossible to remove the bolt Without breaking the seal.

The construction is extremely simple and inexpensive, while at the same time it is very effective in preventing any tampering with the seal.

Another very important advantage of this construction is the fact that I am able to use large gage-wire for the lock bolt or bar, thereby preventing the danger of tampering with the seal by breaking o r cutting the bolt. By this ability to use large gage-wire the private mark of the shipper or railroad company may be stamped upon the wire as a still greater precaution against fraud.

IOO

The initials of the railroad or other corporation employing the seals will generally be impressed upon the seals when in a plastic state, together with a number or other distinctive mark or emblem to indicate the Ownership or as a preventive of fraud, as each seal can thus be made to bear its individual mark or notation.

Then in operation the bolt B is passed through the staple or other part to be secured, the two legs d d2 pinched together, as in Figs. 1, 3, and 7, and the seal forced over them until the lateral projections d4 or d5 spring into the cavity b2, which electually locks the seal in place, so that it cannot be removed without breaking.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is- In a seal, a bolt or shank formed with two my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

DANIEL F. MACCARTIIY.

Witnesses:

C. N. WOODWARD, H. S. WEBSTER. 

